Every month I try to read at least one book from the following categories: nonfiction, devotional, and fiction. And this year I’m doing things just a little bit differently than in the past. Since I decided to participate in the 2016 PopSugar Reading Challenge, I’m also going to be listing which category my books fulfill. If you want to join in on the fun, you can check out the list of categories here! This is What I Read in July 2016, my brief book reviews and recommendations, and there were some great books.
Books Finished:
Wreckage
2016 PopSugar Challenge: a book recommended by a family member
My sister-in-law Charla recommended Wreckage. And I’d picked as part of the Kindle First program quite some time ago, but hadn’t gotten around to reading it. I can’t believe that I hadn’t read it before! I don’t want to give too many details for fear of giving away the plot, but essentially it’s about two people who are in a plane crash and end up on a deserted island, and the lies that they later tell. Let me tell you, this book is fantastic! I had a hard time putting it down, and recommend it very highly.
Ethan Frome
This classic is the story is of a man named Ethan Frome and his unfortunate and difficult existence. He is crippled from an accident; while his wife has a mysterious (and probably made-up) illness. His wife’s relative comes to live with them to help care for the house and prepare meals. The book is a relatively easy read, but depressing. I definitely didn’t see the twist at the end coming.
All About Jesus: The Single Story from Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John
This wonderful book essentially blends the gospels together into a single unified story of Jesus. It’s not a substitute for reading the gospels themselves, but is a refreshing addition. I liked seeing how the different perspectives of the apostles meshed together.
Hanover House
I’ve never read anything by Novak before, but after this short prequel to her upcoming series, I doubt this will be the last that I read of her. I’ve already added the next entry of the Evelyn Talbot Chronicles, Her Darkest Nightmare
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
2016 PopSugar Challenge: a classic from the 20th century
This is actually a short story, upon which a motion picture is based. But the short story is much more humorous than the movie, which is much more serious. I enjoyed both, but they are very different. The story is of a man who ages backwards–he is born old and gets younger over the course of his life, until he’s an infant in his old age.
A House for Happy Mothers
This story follows an American-Indian woman who is infertile and opts to hire a surrogate in India, as well as the Indian woman who becomes her surrogate. It felt like an honest portrayal of what would be an incredibly emotional and difficult situation. Although not fast-paced, it was an engaging read.
Books Abandoned:
None.
, although mine came from a cruise on Carnival), and a 31 rolling duffel (similar to 
), as it has a surprising amount of space inside. This gives me plenty of space for slightly more dressy clothing and casual items, as well as all of the other things one takes when traveling, and whatever I might purchase and need to get back home.